Prudentius, who saw the original basilica in its glory, thus describes it:—
"Imperial splendour all the roof adorns;
Whose vaults a monarch built to God. and graced
With golden pomp the vast circumference.
With gold the beams he covered, that within
The light might emulate the beams of morn.
Beneath the glittering ceiling pillars stood
Of Parian stone, in fourfold ranks disposed:
Each curving arch with glass of various dye
Was decked; so shines with flowers the painted mead